Golf in Italy: the 5 best Italian locations

Despite various vicissitudes, it is customary to trace the origin of golf to Scotland. The first official competitions of this sport were held right between Scottish cities during the 17th century. In Italy, golf officially spread at the beginning of the twentieth century with the foundation of the golf club of Rome.

We have to wait until the post-war period to see it spread throughout Italy. The first Anglo-Saxon golf clubs were born in Milan, Turin and Palermo. The Italian Golf Federation was established in 1927 with the golf clubs of Stresa, Palermo, Florence, Villa D'Este and Turin.

In any case, contrary to what one might imagine, golf is a very physical sport. The games can last up to 5 hours and are often solved beyond the eighteenth hole after almost ten kilometres.

This sport is practised outdoors on huge green lawns that differ according to holes. The number of holes must be multiple of three, and in Italy, the most popular are those with 9 or 18 holes. Of course, the game aims to get the ball into the hole with the least number of shots taken. The famous golf ball is hit with a golf club, called iron in Italian, which varies according to the throw to be thrown.

After the first throw from the starting point, always shoot the player furthest from the hole until his ball is the closest. Each hole has its guiding par, which suggests how many shots are usually taken to complete it. Each player scores their own and opponent's points. The shootings and penalties are added up at the end of the match. The one who has scored the fewest points will be the winner.

Golf has never had as much diffusion in Italy. A lot is also due to Italian golfers such as Francesco Molinari, who became world champion in 2019.

The Franciacorta Golfclub (27 holes) was born in Corte Franca in the second half of the Eighties and is lightly grafted onto the surrounding nature. An expanse of about 80 hectares where those who love sports, natural food and wine can enjoy a unique and unrepeatable experience.

In this splendid setting, you can certainly improve your swing but also let yourself be carried away by the flavours of the earth and the beauties of the Lombard hinterland between history, culture and tradition.

The proximity to the golf club of Lake Iseo gives a temperate climate throughout the year and offers the possibility of having contact with Lombard nature.

The Is Arenas Golf & Country Club (21 holes) is located near Oristano in the eastern part of Sardinia in a pine forest of 1100 hectares overlooking the sea. The entire complex was designed by Richard Baril and Robert von Hagge. It's a hidden treasure among the dunes of the pine forest with the sea as a background on the west coast of Sardinia.

These places are a location for tourists from all over Europe with some of the most beautiful beaches in Sardinia, such as Is Arenas itself, an area full of colours and capable of giving off intense sensations, adorned by the woods of Montiferru.

In this short guide to Italian golf courses, Sicily could not fail to re-enter with its scenic beauties. In Sciacca, in the south of Sicily, there is the Verdura Resort. The Sicilian golf club consists of 45 holes divided into two main courses and a complimentary 9-hole course. The course was designed by the American architect Phillips and fits perfectly into the wonderful coastal landscape of Sicily overlooking the sea.

From each hole, it is possible to have a breathtaking view of the sea and the maritime landscape.

The Acquasanta Rome Golf Club (18 holes) is considered the oldest club in Italy. Founded in 1903, it is located a stone's throw from the historic centre of Rome.

Playing in this location will take you on a fascinating journey through time. You will find yourself in the Appia Antica Park with the passage of a Roman aqueduct, the Claudio Aqueduct, near the mausoleum of Cecilia Metella.

Furthermore, from the green expanse of the lawn, you can see the dome of San Pietro in the distance. The strategic location of this golf club is essential to fully enjoy the experience and attractions that the city of Rome offers.